Burning The Ground Exclusive
When it comes to obscure Hi-NRG gems of the mid-80s, few records capture that elusive blend of European flair and North American dancefloor ambition quite like “Another Boy In Town” by Two Girls. Released in 1986 on Popular Records in both the U.S. and Canada, this single stands as a one-off project under this name—but like many Italian productions of the era, the story behind it runs much deeper.
Two Girls was less a traditional group and more a studio creation, part of the rotating network of Italo-disco talent that thrived during the decade. The artists behind the project were also known under several aliases, including Caren Monique, Chip Chip, Clip Club, and Cristina Montanari—a common practice in the European dance scene where producers and vocalists moved fluidly between projects, leaving behind a trail of interconnected releases.
Musically, “Another Boy In Town” is pure mid-80s Hi-NRG bliss. Pulsating synth basslines, tight electronic drums, and a catchy, emotionally charged vocal drive the track forward with relentless energy. It’s polished, dramatic, and tailor-made for the club—exactly the kind of record DJs relied on to keep the floor moving.
What makes this release especially interesting—and highly collectible—is its remix history. Multiple versions of “Another Boy In Town” were issued internationally, each with subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) differences. The North American pressings in particular offer something unique.
My copy is the Canadian 12″ on Popular Records, and to the best of my knowledge, the remix featured on Side A is exclusive to this release. That kind of regional variation was fairly common at the time, with labels commissioning or selecting alternate mixes to better suit local club tastes. For collectors and DJs alike, these differences are part of the thrill—tracking down the version that hits just a little harder or takes the track in a slightly different direction.
It also speaks to how strong the Hi-NRG scene was in North America during this period. By 1985, there was a real appetite for European imports, and labels ensured these records were optimized for the booming club culture on both sides of the border.
Despite never becoming a major crossover hit, “Another Boy In Town” has all the ingredients of a classic—memorable hooks, driving rhythm, and that unmistakable Italo-meets-Hi-NRG production style. It remains a cult favorite, especially among collectors who appreciate the nuances between different pressings.
And while Two Girls may have only released this single under this name, their broader body of work—spread across multiple aliases—helped shape the sound of an era.
For me, this Canadian pressing is a standout—not just for the track itself, but for that exclusive Side A remix that makes it feel like a truly special find.
💿 Sometimes it’s the regional variations that make collecting so rewarding—one record, many stories, and a dancefloor legacy that still resonates today.
SIDE A:
Another Boy In Town (Special Underwater Remix) 6:50
Remix – Casey Jones
SIDE B:
Another Boy In Town 5:24
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Popular Records – KXD 001
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Canada
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop, Hi-NRG, Italo Disco
CREDITS:
- Drum Programming – Matt Noble
- Producer – Anthony Monn
- Written-By – Monn*, Dempsey*
NOTES:
Mixed at Northcott Studios, NYC
Remixed for Volume Productions
Produced for Transparent Records
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Although I wasn’t a collector of this type of music I look forward to giving it a listen. The alternate remix thing though very much reminds me of the excitement of being a collector in the 80’s when oftentimes the American, UK, German, Australian & Japanese releases had something different to offer. Hunting them down and finding out was not as simple as looking on Discogs or Wikipedia. Often you only knew by comparing with friends or taking a chance while shopping at Wax Trax while going to a concert out of town. It was a fun time to be… Read more »
Not bad, not bad at all! I love the repetition going on in this track. So much fun! You know I can’t say no to 80’s synth and this really hits the spot… and this mix is totally new to me! Special underwater indeed! Quirky April is totally shaping up to be amazing, thanks for all the interesting tracks Paul. After listening to Another Boy in Town… If I had to make a prediction for what could be shared next, my head is going straight to Rock & Rock by The Rock & Rock Gang (I don’t want to jinx… Read more »
JP — this made me smile 😀 You totally get what this track is doing—that repetition just locks you in and doesn’t let go. It’s one of those where the groove is the hook, and before you know it you’re completely pulled into it. And yeah, that “Underwater” mix really has its own vibe—glad it was a new one for you! “Quirky April” has definitely taken on a life of its own, hasn’t it? I’ve been having a lot of fun digging a little off the beaten path this month. Now… your prediction Rock & Rock by The Rock & Rock… Read more »
Thank you Paul. Can’t remember this song, so it is new to me.That’s exactly what makes your page here so special. Have a great weekend and of course to the rest of the BTG family.
Toxicaudio — thank you, I really appreciate that.
That’s exactly what I hope for with Burning the Ground—not just revisiting the favorites, but bringing in those “new” discoveries that somehow slipped through the cracks the first time around.
Glad this one was a fresh listen for you! That’s always the best feeling.
Have a fantastic weekend, and yes—big shoutout to the entire BTG family. You all make this place what it is.
—Paul
Sounds like The Flirts met up with Chic, Italo style. Grazie!
Hyman — that’s a perfect way to describe it!
You’ve got that punchy The Flirts attitude colliding with a bit of Chic groove, all filtered through that glossy Italo production—couldn’t have said it better myself.
And yes… grazie right back at you! 😊
This is new to me and quite catchy! Thank you Paul for taking the road less traveled. I hope you and everyone here have a great weekend!
Retro Hound — I really appreciate that!
That “road less traveled” is where a lot of these hidden gems are waiting, and it’s always a great feeling when one connects like this. Glad you’re enjoying it—it’s definitely one of those catchy tracks that sneaks up on you.
Hope you have a fantastic weekend as well, and the same to everyone here in the BTG family!
—Paul
Thank you for another fantastic, obscure 80s Dance track. I only know this one from HOT TRACKS, but never heard the original remixes, so this is highly appreciated! It definitely has that Stock Aitken Waterman vibe that we all loved in the mid- to late 80s!
Axel — thank you! That’s a great point about HOT TRACKS—that’s probably where a lot of people first encountered this one.
And yeah, I can definitely hear what you’re picking up on. It’s got that polished, hook-heavy feel that sits right alongside the Stock Aitken Waterman sound—those bright synths and tight, driving rhythms were everywhere in the mid-to-late 80s.
Really glad you’re enjoying hearing the original mixes—that’s always part of the fun, comparing how these tracks evolved across different releases.
Appreciate you stopping by as always!
—Paul
Thanks Paul for the upload.
I’ve not heard the A side version before, more familiar with the B side.
This era of hi-nrg was the best, so many tracks that stir great memories of a time where clubbing was all about meeting friends and getting immersed in the music.
I still listen to a lot mid to late 80’s hi-nrg and it still sounds fresh considering it’s 40 yrs old.
Alan — thank you, and I know exactly what you mean. It’s funny how the B-side is often the one people remember, and then hearing a different A-side mix years later feels like discovering the track all over again. And you’re absolutely right about that era. Mid to late 80s Hi-NRG had something really special—it wasn’t just about the music, it was the whole experience. Being in the club with friends, that sense of connection, and just getting lost in the energy of the night. Hard to replicate that. What really says a lot is exactly what you mentioned—these tracks… Read more »
Thanks for the new-to-me post, Paul! It definitely sounds quite a bit like You Spin Me Round by Dead Or Alive (instrument wise). Have a great weekend!
Fred — great observation!
That driving synth bass and punchy rhythm really do land in the same territory as You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive—that classic Hi-NRG pulse that just propels everything forward.
It’s that mid-80s sound that was everywhere for a reason—it works!
Glad this one was a new discovery for you. Have a fantastic weekend!
—Paul
There was the USA 12” single for that
https://www.discogs.com/release/642468-Two-Girls-Another-Boy-In-Town
There were several 12″ singles released, and mine features a different mix on the A-side.
You’re so important to me, Paul. Of course you bring countless faves back into our consciousness, but you also bring “new” and unheard gems to our ears and feet. You’re not just retreading the 80s and 90s tried and true, but you’re this renegade that leads us into sonic planes we may have missed! I don’t know this record at all, but I am familiar with the label and even, Casey Jones! Jones was huge in the Hi-NRG scene and, I believe, one of my favorite record reviewers from the old Dance Music Report, a tip-sheet for Deejays! I am… Read more »
Jeff — wow… thank you so much for this. That truly means a lot to me. You nailed exactly what I try to do with Burning the Ground—not just revisit the classics we all love, but also dig a little deeper and shine a light on those hidden gems that might have slipped past us back in the day. There’s something really special about discovering a track for the first time now and feeling that same excitement like it’s 1985 all over again. I’m really glad you mentioned Casey Jones and Dance Music Report—that’s such a great connection and totally… Read more »
There seems to be some issues with volume changes throughout the Underwater mix. The first one is at 1:01, where the vocals get noticeably louder. This changes back and forth throughout the song. Not sure if that was an issue with Casey Jones’ mix or the mastering or the pressing. One of my all-time favorites.
Albert — great catch, but in this case, that’s actually intentional.
Those volume shifts are an intentional part of the remix—Casey Jones designed them to highlight certain vocal passages and add more dynamics for the dancefloor. It’s not a flaw in the mastering, transfer, or pressing, but a deliberate choice in the mix, hence the title “Underwater Remix,” aiming to give some sections a muffled, underwater feel.
You’ll hear that kind of vocal riding in a lot of Hi-NRG and club mixes from that era—pushing and pulling elements to keep the energy moving and to spotlight key moments.
New to me, the cover is sooooo 80’s!!
Raymond — I had the same reaction when I first saw it! 😀 That sleeve is pure 80s—no mistaking the era on that one. Love those 80s record labels,
And the funny thing is, the sound matches the look perfectly. Total Hi-NRG energy with that glossy, stylized European feel. Definitely one of those records where the cover gives you a pretty good hint of what’s waiting in the grooves.
Glad this one is a new discovery for you—those are always the most fun. Let me know what you think after you give it a spin!
The TELEX number on the label takes me back too.
YES!!!! 🙂